As Russell Martin continues his summer rebuild at Ibrox, Dutch defender Xavier Mbuyamba has emerged as the latest name linked with a move to Rangers — and this one feels like it has serious legs.
Deal Structure & Transfer Situation
According to multiple reports, including transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Rangers are in the race to sign the 23-year-old centre-back from FC Volendam. Mbuyamba is out of contract in June 2026, but with the player refusing to extend, the Dutch club are prepared to sell now for a cut-price fee of €500k (£425k).
Clubs in Turkey, Italy, and Poland are also circling, with Belgian outfit Gent considered a serious rival for his signature. English sides are monitoring the situation too, so Rangers will need to move decisively if they want to win the race.
What the Stats Tell Us About Xavier Mbuyamba
Football consultant and scout Kai Watson has provided a fantastic statistical breakdown of Mbuyamba’s 2024/25 season in the Dutch Eerste Divisie:
- 33 Appearances | 5 Goals / 1 Assist
- 87.86% Pass Accuracy | 50.49% Long Ball Accuracy
- 10.51 Progressive Passes P90 | 8.44 Passes to Final Third P90
- 70.45% Defensive Duels Won | 60.91% Aerial Duels Won
- 5.37 Interceptions P90
His numbers show a ball-playing centre-back comfortable stepping into midfield and progressing play — an ideal fit for Russell Martin’s tactical approach.
📈 Percentile rank data shows him above average in aerial duels, defensive duels, and progressive passing when compared to other Eredivisie centre-backs. He’s also a clear threat from set-pieces, having scored five goals last season.
Medical History: Heart Condition Confirmed
It’s true that Mbuyamba has a known heart condition. In late 2023, he was fitted with a subcutaneous defibrillator (S-ICD) after routine medical checks detected an irregular heart rhythm. He missed some time during the season but has since returned to full fitness and started matches again for Volendam.
The situation is well-managed, and Rangers fans will recall that Connor Goldson also played with a heart issue — suggesting the club has both the experience and the infrastructure to handle any added precautions.
A Piece of the Puzzle
Rangers’ interest in Mbuyamba also comes as defensive reshaping remains a hot topic. Talks continue with Leicester City over a move for Conor Coady, a deal that has dragged on longer than expected, possibly due to the financial terms or Leicester’s shifting stance.
Meanwhile, reports in Turkey suggest a €1.5m bid has been made for John Souttar, which — if accepted — would further deplete the centre-back ranks. Mbuyamba could represent both a replacement and an upgrade in terms of style and long-term value.
Ibrox Insider Vertict
This is a low-risk, high-reward signing for Rangers. At just €500k, Mbuyamba offers massive upside. He fits the style Russell Martin is trying to implement, brings top-level youth pedigree from Chelsea and Barcelona, and has already shown resilience to return from adversity.
If Rangers are serious, they’ll want to act fast — because the queue is forming.
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